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3. March 8: When Women Shake the World

From factories to global networks, International Women's Rights Day has evolved from a workers' movement to a worldwide feminist strike, adapting its strategies to contemporary challenges.

In the misty streets of New York in 1908, no one could have imagined that a group of exhausted, underpaid textile workers were paving the way for a global movement. As they stood up against inhumane working conditions, they had no idea they were writing the first chapter of a long history of struggle. Back then, March 8 was just another date on the calendar. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and hope.

The roots of this day lie in the workers' and socialist movements of the early 20th century. A year after the historic strike, the American Socialist Party established the first National Women’s Day. But it was Clara Zetkin, a bold German feminist activist, who in 1910, at a conference in Copenhagen, proposed making the commemoration international. Her goal was clear: to unite women worldwide in the fight for voting rights and economic equality.

The fate of March 8 was sealed in 1917 when women workers in Petrograd took a stand against the tsarist regime. Their cries of anger over war and hunger ignited the spark that led to the February Revolution. Four days later, Tsar Nicholas II abdicated. In 1921, Lenin officially declared March 8 as Women's Day, tying it to revolutionary movements.

Silence and Rebellion

For decades, March 8 was caught in the grip of the Cold War. In the East, it was celebrated as an official holiday, sometimes stripped of its original, rebellious spirit. In the West, it was largely ignored, viewed as a suspicious communist invention. It wasn’t until the rise of the second-wave feminist movement in the 1970s that the day regained its significance.

A turning point came in 1975 in Iceland. On that day, 90% of Icelandic women stopped all work, both paid and domestic. Their message was clear: without women, society would collapse. This powerful act of collective resistance showed the potential of the feminist strike.

In 1977, the UN officially recognized March 8 as International Women’s Day. While this global recognition was a victory, it also came with the risk of the day being depoliticized and normalized. Over the following decades, celebrations fluctuated between militant protests and more formal, institutional events.

The Globalization of Anger

From the 2010s onward, March 8 evolved into a stronger symbol of protest. In 2016, Polish women made a powerful statement by organizing a nationwide strike against an anti-abortion bill. Dressed in black, they brought the country to a halt, forcing the government to reverse its decision. This victory sparked a new wave of global momentum.

The following year, the #MeToo movement erupted, shedding light on the extent of sexual and gender-based violence. March 8, 2018 took on unprecedented significance: from Madrid to Buenos Aires, from New York to Delhi, millions of women gathered in solidarity. In Spain, nearly six million strikers shook the economy with the powerful slogan, "If we stop, the world stops."

In 2019, Switzerland saw a historic mobilization, with over 500,000 people dressed in purple. Beyond the fight for equal pay, these feminist strikes also demanded recognition for often-overlooked domestic labor, condemned violence against women, called for climate justice and advocated for the rights of gender minorities. What defines these contemporary movements is their ability to link different forms of injustice, making feminism a broader fight for equality. It’s no longer just about gender equality; it’s a global struggle against all forms of injustice, whether based on gender, race, social class or sexual orientation.

However, this resurgence faces ongoing challenges. The commercialization of March 8 often reduces the feminist struggle to a marketing tactic. Brands promote women’s empowerment while exploiting underpaid workers. Meanwhile, some governments show support for the day while restricting access to contraception and abortion or staying passive in the face of domestic violence.

More subtly, the focus on individual success weakens solidarity within the movement. Feminism that emphasizes social mobility and access to power for a minority risks overshadowing the structural inequalities that affect the majority of women.

Despite these contradictions, March 8 keeps evolving in its approach. Alongside traditional protests, digital strikes, acts of civil disobedience and impactful artistic performances have emerged. In many countries, feminist collectives are fostering solidarity by establishing support networks to address the gaps left by institutions.

A recent example of this solidarity was seen in Latin America, where the feminist movement has gained significant momentum. In Argentina, the fight for the right to abortion led to its legalization in December 2020 after decades of struggle. This victory inspired similar movements in neighboring countries like Mexico and Colombia, where historic court rulings have supported women’s reproductive rights (source: Amnesty International, 2021). This momentum highlights how March 8 plays a vital role in shaping society and driving lasting change. As long as inequalities persist, this day will continue to evolve, supporting those committed to creating a fairer society.